President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has today ratified the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 7/2010).
The Bill was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis at its 26th sitting of the 3rd session of 2025, held on Thursday, 27 November 2025.
Upon ratification, the amendment abolishes atoll councils effective from the next local council elections. Of the 21 administrative constituencies of the Maldives, excluding those designated as city councils, each inhabited island within all other administrative divisions shall henceforth be governed solely by its respective island council. Island councils will be accountable to the Local Government Authority (LGA) and answerable to the residents of their respective islands.
The amendment introduces a population-based structure for island councils. Councils serving islands with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants will comprise 3 councillors, including 1 female member, while councils serving islands with 2,000 or more inhabitants will comprise 5 councillors, including 2 female members.
The composition of the Malé City Council will correspond to the number of representatives elected from Malé City to the People’s Majlis, in addition to a mayor. The Fuvahmulah City Council shall consist of a mayor and 1 representative from each of the 8 wards.
Regarding women’s representation in city councils, constituencies designated for women councillors shall be allocated equally across all city constituencies, in accordance with regulations issued by the Elections Commission of the Maldives.
The amendment also revises the structure of the Women’s Development Committees (WDC). The position of WDC Chairperson is designated as a full-time, elected office, chosen by eligible voters of the respective constituencies. Additionally, the LGA Board shall include 1 member elected from among the WDC Chairpersons.
The amendment sets out the circumstances under which a council member shall vacate office. A member shall vacate office upon:
withdrawing membership from the political party under whose ticket they were elected, once such change is registered with the Elections Commission;
registering as a member of a political party other than the one under whose ticket they were elected; or
registering as a member of a political party after having been elected as an independent candidate.
Following its publication in the Government Gazette, the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act is now in force.